Muktzah

Muktza (Hebrew: מוקצה; also transliterated as Muktzah, Muktsah, Muktsa, Muktzeh, Muqṣah etc.) is a Hebrew word that means "separated", or "set aside." The generally accepted view regarding these items is that they may be touched though not moved during Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) or Yom Tov^[1][2] (Jewish Holiday), some extend this prohibition to the actual handling of these items. Halakha defines various categories of objects or substances which are "set aside" on the Jewish Sabbath, as well as various permissible instances of moving these various Muktza items. For example, one may not handle money, rocks, twigs, etc. on Shabbat, as these items are "Muktza."

The consensus among the halachik authorities is that muktza is an issur d'rabbanan, or a rabbinic prohibition, rather than a d'oreisa , or biblical prohibition.

The laws of Muktza can be divided into two distinct subjects:

• "Muktza", i.e. the conditions needed for something to become muktza, and the properties of the various categories thereof;
• "Tiltul", i.e. if an item is indeed determined to be Muktza, it must be determined when and how it may be moved.

General Concept of Muktza

Muktza is essentially a restriction on objects that were not 'prepared' before the Sabbath. The absence of preparedness in this sense means that the vast majority of people would not expect to use this particular item or substance on Shabbat.

Categories

There are six main categories of muktza^[3], each one with different halakhic ramifications:

• Mechamat Chisaron Kis - Delicate Objects (e.g. musical instrument, camera, etc.)
• Basis- Object supporting a Muktzah item (e.g. the tray holding the Shabbat candles)
• Mechamat Gufo- Objects that are not utensils and have no ordinary Shabbat function (e.g. raw foods)
• Mechamat Isura- Objects whose use was prohibited because of Shabbat violations when Shabbat began remain muktzah all Shabbat (e.g. Shabbat candles)
• Kli Shemlachto L'isur - Objects designed specifically to perform work (e.g. a hammer)
• Mechamat Mitzvah - Objects used only to perform a mitzvah (e.g. Lulav)

See also

• 39 categories of activity prohibited on Shabbat

References

1. ^ Rabbi Baruch Chait The 39 Avoth Melacha of Shabbat ISBN 0-87306-586-7 Page 42
2. ^ Muktzah (part 1) - Shabbat with Aish
3. ^ Rabbi Baruch Chait The 39 Avoth Melacha of Shabbat ISBN 0-87306-586-7 Page 42